Tiling



' June 1, 1937.

M. T. BENNETT TVILING Filed'Feb. 23, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

A T TORNEYS.

June 1937.

M. T. BENNETT TILING Filed Feb. 23, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

I Patented June 1, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT oFF cE 'I'ILING mm T.Bennett, East Cleveland, Ohio Application February 23, 1933, Serial No.658,079

28 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in tiling for facing or coveringwalls and the like.

Under the present practice of employing the well known clay tiles, theyare applied by first coating the wall to be tiled with cement, and thenalining and setting the tiles in'the cement. This method requiresconsiderable skill and labor, thereby materially contributing to thecost of the completed wall or floor. Also, said clay tiles areexpensive.

It is a. prime object of my invention to provide individual tiles,having means thereon cooperating with means on a base member orsupporting sheet, for accurately alining and retaining the tiles in adesired position without the necessity I of cementing the same.

A further object is to provide such a base member or supporting sheet,having a series of spaced grooves or slots thereon, and to provide theindividual tiles with suitable flanges for entrance 20 in andcooperation with said grooves or slots to secure the said tiles inposition.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide individualtiles for attachment to the base member or sheet in parallel rows byinter- 5 looking or interfitting engagement with a single. series ofparallel grooves or slots formed in said base member; and, further, toprovide cooperating means on the base member and the tiles forpositively interlocking said members.

parallel grooves in the base member, in place of two series ofintersecting grooves, a considerable saving in the cost of manufactureofthis member or portion of the tiled wall, floor, or the like, iseffected, and a much stronger and efllcient construction is provided.This construction further lends itself to the employment of simple andreliable cooperating tile attaching means carried on the tiles, as wellas means also carried by the tile members for advantageously positioningthe tiles in various patterns on the base member.

A still further object is to, provide a novel filler element for closingand sealing the joints between the tiles when positioned on the basemember or supporting sheet.

Additional objects and advantages are, to provide a tile which may beemployed to satisfactorily simulate the present clay tile; to provide atile which may be easily applied by one not skilled in the art; and toprovide in such a tile, an inexpensive article of manufacture which isboth durable and attractive.

In the drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of myinvention:

By the employment of only a single series of Fig. 2, a vertical sectiontaken on the line IIII of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3, a rear perspective view of an individual tileembodying myinvention; 1

Fig. 4, an enlarged sectional view of a portion of Fig. 2, showing themanner of mounting the tiles; v Fig. 5, a view similar to Fig. 2,showing a modifled form of base member or supporting sheet;

Fig. 6, a view similar to Fig. 4, of a portion of Fig.

Fig. '7, a cross section on the line V'lIVII of Fig.1;

Fig. 8, a rear perspective view of a modified form of tile;

Fig. 9, a sectional view similar to Fig. 2, showing the modified form oftile applied;

Figs. and 11, front elevatlonal views of portions of a. wall tiled inthe manner of my invention, particularly showing the joint fillerelement for closing the joints between the tiles;

Fig. 12, an enlarged perspective view of the joint filler element ofFig. 10;

Fig. 13, a similar view of the filler element of Fig. 11;

Figs. 14 and 15, enlarged detail sectional views taken on the linesXIV-XIV and XVXV of Fig. 10, respectively;

Fig. 16, a front perspective view of a further modified form of tile,having means for interlocking engagement with a joint filler element;and

Fig. 17, a front perspective view of a form of interlocking fillerelement.

In the practice of this invention, my tiling supporting sheet 2 may besecured, as by nails, I

bolts, or other suitable fastening means, be employed. For example, inFig. 2, I show the member or sheet 2 disposed on a vertical wall stud Aand secured thereto by means of nails 3;

The base member or supporting sheet 2 is pref erably formed of wood,Transite, or other composition board, of sufficient thickness tomaintain a high degree of rigidity when extended between the studs A. Ifpreferred, the base member may be formed of a plurality of individualboards or sections assembled to form a continuous sheet. -A constructionof this character is illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. I

The front or outer surface of the member or sheet 2 is cut to form a.single series ofspacedapart parallel grooves or slots 4, extendingthroughout said member. For the purpose of finishing walls, ceilings,and the like, the said grooves are preferably disposed horizontally whenthe members or sheets 2 are in position.

The grooves 4, as illustrated and as preferred, are formed with undercutwalls or portions 5 disposed at either side and extending longitudinallythereof, thus providing narrowed entrance edge portions a in the frontor outer surface of the member 2. For. example, the said grooves may beprovided in the manner stated by cutting the same of dove-tail form, asclearly shown in Fig. 4.

Designed with a view to simulating the well known clay tiles, 1 provideindividual tiles B, formed of sheet metal or other suitable material,and including a flat body portion 6 of the desired configuration anddimensions, the front or outer face of which may be treated with paint,enamel, or lacquer, to impart a tile-like appearance thereto. Forexample, I have illustrated the tiles B herein of square configuration,in accordance with one customary style of tiling.

Projecting rearwardly from and along opposite edges of the body portions6 of the tiles, and preferably at right angles thereto, are flanges I. 8

designates attaching flanges also disposed at opposite edges of the bodyportions 6. All of said flanges may be separate and distinct, one fromthe other, or, as in Fig. 3, the flanges I and 8 may be merged orintegral adjacent the corner portions 9 of said tiles, to provideadditional strength and to prevent the passage of mortar or otherplastic filler element underneath the tiles when assembled, ashereinafter more fully described.

The flanges 1 are'substantially narrow and the rear terminal edges llthereof are preferably disposed in parallelism to the front surfaces ofthe body portions 6 of the tiles, whereas, the flanges 8 arecomparatively wide or deep, extending rearwardly of the body portions,preferably at right angles thereto, for some distance beyond thelimiting edges ll of the flanges I. v

Adjacent the rear terminal edges l2 of the flanges 8, I provideinterlocking or interfltting means i3 designed for cooperation with theundercut portions 5 of the base member grooves 4, for positivelysecuring said tiles to said member. I have shown the means I3 in theform of struckout rounded projections spaced at the end portions of theflanges 8. However, it will be understood that various forms of suchmeans may be employed without departing from the spirit of my invention.

It will be seen from Figs. 1 and 2, that the grooves or slots 4 arespaced apart the correct distance to enable the tiles to extendtherebetween, with the flanges 8 thereof entered in the grooves. Inapplying a tile to the base member 2, one attaching flange 8 is insertedin a groove 4, and the opposite attaching flange 8 in a second oradjacent groove.

Upon the application of external pressure by the hand, or by means of ahammer or the like, the attaching flanges 8 of the tiles B will bedeflected a sufllcient amount to permit the proje'cting means l3 thereofto pass over the entrance edges a of the grooves 4, and upon the flangesreturning to their original positions, the projecting locking means willengage within the undercut portions 5, to securely interlock the tilesand base member.

The material from which the base member is formed may also assist inreceiving and retaining the tiles, as, for example, when formed of acomposition having a resiliency which will permit of a temporarydistortion of the edge portions a of the grooves 4, to facilitate thepassage of the projecting means l3 thereover into interlockingengagement.

When the base member 2 is formed of a somewhat brittle material,resulting in the breaking formed, or broken, to permit the entrance ofthe projections l3 therebehind, as described.

The rear edges ll of the narrow flanges 1 limit the movement of thetiles B toward the base memher 2, by engaging the front or outer surfacethereof, as in Fig. '7, thus serving to accurately maintain the tiles ina uniform plane.

It is to be noted that each row of tiles B applied to the base member 2may be moved along their grooves 4 for spacing and arrangement invarious patterns, as indicated in Fig. 1. The tiles 13 therein aredisposed in a regular pattern, one above the other, whereas, the tiles Billustrate the manner of positioning said tiles in a staggeredrelationship or pattern.

The vertical spacing between the tiles B or B may be varied by theworker when assembling the same on the base member, and some suitablefiller material may be applied to the joints or.

spaces between tiles, as indicated at ID. The functions of such fillerare, first, to produce the same aesthetic appearance possessed by thewell known clay tiling; and, second, to seal the joints against theingress of dirt, water, or other foreign material. The flller l8 may beof a character which may be colored or tinted to conform to somepredetermined color scheme, thus affording an attractive and efficientwall construction.

In the event that a plastic flller material is used, the integral cornerconstruction joining the flanges 1 and 8, as described, will prevent thematerial from' passing under the tiles, the same being confined betweenthe flanges I of adjacent tiles and the front surface of the base member2. That portion of the material which is applied between the flanges 8of adjacent tiles, is conflned within the grooves 4 of the base member.

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate a modified form of base member, which may beformed of a plurality of boards or sections 2a, arranged one above theother, to form a continuous sheet. The edges of these sectionsare formedwith grooves, as by rabbeting, which when assembled form T-shaped slots4a extending in parallelism across the sheet and having undercutportions 5a and narrowed entrance edges 1), for receiving and retainingthe tiles B, or, more particularly, the flanges 8 thereof and theirprojecting interlocking means II.

In Fig. 8, I have shown a modified form of tile C, having a flatrectangular 'body portion 8a and rearwardly extending narrow flanges la.A right angle rearwardly extending yieldable flange of the said grooves4 of the member 2. Thus,

when the tiles are applied, as in Fig. 9, they will be supported or hungin and from the grooves or slots 4 by the engagement and cooperation of.the flanges 8b with the lower inclined walls thereof.

Due to the angularity of the flanges 8b and the walls of the grooves 4,and the weight of the tiles, said tiles will be urged into intimatecontact with the front surface of the base member 2, thus preventingmisalinement and insuring a rigid assembly-in conformity to theflatsurface of the said member 2.

When applied in this manner, the lower flanges 8a of the tiles will beentered into grooves 4 immediately below the grooves engaged by theinclined hanger flanges 8b, thereby securing the tiles to the basemember 2 by the cooperation of v the projections I3a with the undercutportions of the said grooves. With the tiles in this position, ifdesired, the said lower flanges 8a may be bent upwardly along the upperinclined walls 01 the grooves in which they are contained, therebyfixedly securing the tiles in position.

By means of the constructions hereinbefore described, I have provided atiling which may be readily applied without the necessity of usingcement on the wall and the backs of the individual tiles, as has beenthe standard practice with clay tiles, and with the metal tiles of theUnited States patent to Haines, No. 1,594,614. Hence, the tiles of myinvention will not become loosened by vibration, water, breakage, orother common evils of the cemented wall.

If desired, other means may be employed to seal the joints between thetiles, and for this purpose, I provide a filler element, preferablyformed of sheet metal or of any material of a high degree of resiliency.Said element may be formed in various shapes and sizes, depending uponth size and configuration of the tiling.

In connection with the vertically stag ered method of tilingconstruction of Fig. 10, I prefer to provide a filler element I4, in theform of a T-shaped member, having horizontal face portions I5 and acentral face portion I6. Said face portions I5 and I6 may be slightlyconcave to simulate the trowled mortar joint employed in connection withclay tiling, and are of suflle cient width to extend between and contactwith the flanges of adjacent tiles, as shown in Figs. 14 and 15.

By providing the flller element of T-shape, only one form and size ofsaid element is necessary to each tiling installation, for the reasonthat the element may be reversed at successive intersecting'joints,thereby completely filling the joint openings, as particularly shown inFig. 10.

For the purpose of inserting and retaining the flller elements in place,the portions I5 thereof are formed with rearwardly diverging yieldableflanges II, preferably having locking flanges I8 along their terminaledges, said locking flanges, when used, also diverging rearwardly at agreater angle of inclination than the said flanges II.

The face portions I6 of said elements may be provided with similarflanges, or, as in Figs. 12

and 14, with a pair of rearwardly extending parallel flanges I9. Saidflanges are narrower than the flanges I'I,.and are designed to extendvertically between the tiles with their terminal edges in contact withthe front face of the supporting member 2.

Thus, with the tiles B assembled on the base member 2, as in Fig. 10,the filler elements I4 may be applied to the joints .therebetween, byflexing the flanges I'I inwardly a suflicient amount to permit theentrance of said flanges and their locking flanges I8 in 'the horizontalJoint openings between the respective flanges of adjacent tiles. Uponreleasing the flanges l1, they will flex outwardly to contact and gripsaid tile flanges, with their locking flanges II engaging behind theterminal edges of the tile flanges to prevent disengagement and removalof the filler elements. v

As illustrated in Figs. 15 and 14, respectively, the flanges II of theflller elements-will engage the flange 8 of the tiles B, and the lockingflanges I8 will be disposed behind the limiting edges I2 of said flanges8; and the'flanges I9 of the face portions I6 will be in contact withthe flanges I oi adjacent tiles and the front face of the member 2. i

While the resiliency of the flller elements, and

particularly the flanges II thereof, will serve to rigidly maintaln thesaid elements in position, it is desirable to further protect the jointsby applying a thin luting of varnish or other waterproof material to theouter surfaces of the flanges I! and I9, thereby insuring a dirt andwaterproof seal between said flanges and the respective flanges ofadjacent tiles.

It will be understood that the filler elements I4 are applicable as wellto the form of tiling illustrated by Figs. 8 and 9, in which instancethe lower flanges I! of said elements will engage the inclined hangerflanges 8b of the tiles C. The said flller elements may be made ofstainless steel, nickel, or from some non-metallic substance whichpossesses the desired resiliency.

For use in connection with the regular or "alined arrangement of tilingillustrated in Fig.

11, I provide the joint filler elements Ila in the shape of a cross,-having horizontal face portions lid of equal length, said portions beingprovided with pairs of rearwardly diverging resilient'flanges I'Iaterminating in diverging locking flanges Na, in the manner hereinbeforedescribed. I6a designates verticallyextendingface portions of equallength, whichare provided with rearwardly extending parallel flangesI911. The juncture of the flanges Na and Illa is preferably interrupted,as shown in Fig. 13, and maybe provided with a plurality of shear cutsor slits at the inner corners to permit the flexing of the flanges I'Ia.Figs. 16 and 17, respectively, illustrate a further modification in theconstruction of the tile and filler element, the latter being shown ofcross shape for use in the regular or alined form of tiling described,it being understood that the same may be also constructed of T-shape foruse in connection with the staggered method ofof said tiles for engagingbehind the tiles and securing the elements in position, as will bereadily understood.

Similarly, the narrow vertical flanges lb of the tiles C may be providedwith cut-out portions 22 for receiving and interlocking with suitablelugs or flanges 23 on the parallel flanges Nb of the vertical faceportions lib of the filler elements Mb.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that a simulated tiled wallmay be readily constructed by one not skilled in the art, and that theeconomical units of my invention will materially decrease the cost ofconstruction. Further, that the dimensions, shapes and numbers of theunits of my construction may be altered and modifled at will.

I claim:

1. In a structure of the character described, a base member havingspaced-apart parallel grooves therein, a tile having a flange thereonfor entrance in one groove, a second flange for entrance in a spacedgroove, one of said flanges being resilient and having means forcooperation with a wall of its groove for securing the tile on the basemember.

2. In a structure of the character described, a base member havingspaced-apart parallel grooves therein, a tile including a body portionhaving a flange thereon for entrance in one groove, a second flange forentrance in a spaced groove, one of said flanges being resilient andextending rearwardly at right angles to said body portion, saidresilient flange having means for cooperation with a wall of its groovefor securing the tile on the base member.

3. In a structure of the character described, a base member having asingle series of spacedapart parallel grooves formed therein, a tilehaving a flange for entrance in one of said grooves, a resilient flangeon said tile for entrance in a second groove, and means on saidresilientflange cooperating with its groove for securing the tile on the basemember.

4. In a structure of the character described, a base member having aseries of spaced parallel grooves in the front surface thereof, saidgrooves having undercut portions, a tile having a resilient flangethereon for entrance in one of said grooves, a second resilient flangefor entrance in.

a spaced groove, and means on said flanges for engaging the undercutportions of theirrespective grooves for securing the tile on the basemember. I

5. In a structure of the character described, a base member havingaseries of parallel grooves in the front surface thereof, a tile havinga flange for engaging said surface of the base member, and yieldableflanges for entrance in said grooves, said yieldable flanges havingmeans thereon cooperating with the grooves for securing the tile on thebase member.

6. In a structure of the character described, a base member having asingle series of spacedapart parallel grooves in the front surfacethereof, a tile having a pair of narrow flanges for engaging saidsurface of the base member, and a pair of relatively wide yieldableflanges extending rearwardly of said flrst flanges for entrance in thegrooves, and means on the yieldable flanges cooperating with the groovesfor securing the tile on the base member.

7. A tile having a flat body portion and a pair of rearwardly extendingnarrow flanges at opposite sides thereof, a hanger flange inclinedrearwardly of said body portion, and a relatively wide attaching flangehaving inwardly extending projections thereon.

8. A tile having a. flat body portion and a pair of rearwardly extendingnarrow flanges having their rear edges parallel to the front surface ofsaid body portion, a hanger flange inclined rearwardly of said bodyportion, and a relatively wide yieldable flange having inwardlyextending projections thereon.

9. In a structure of the character described, a base member having its'front surface provided with a pair of spaced-apart grooves each formedwith an undercut wall, a tile having an inclined hanger flange thereonfor engaging a wall of one of the grooves, a flange on said tile havingprojecting means thereon for engaging a wall of the other groove, saidtile having additional flanges for engaging said surface of the basemember.

10. In a structure of the character described, a

-base member having its front surface provided with a single series ofspaced-apart grooves,

spaced tiles having flanges thereon entered in' said grooves, a flllerelement having yieldable flanges for engaging the said tile flangeswithin the grooves, said element also having flanges entered between thespaced tiles into contact with the said surface of the base member.

11. In a structure of the character described, a

base member having spaced-apart grooves therein, a plurality ofindividual metal tiles each having a yieldable flange thereon, theyieldable flanges of two adjacent tiles entered in the same groove andhaving means cooperating with a wall of said groove for securing thetiles on the base member.

12. In a structure of the character described, a base member havingspaced-apart grooves therein, a plurality of individual metal tiles eachhaving end flanges and a plurality of yieldable flanges thereon, ayieldable flange of two adjacent tiles entered in the same groove andhaving means cooperating with the wall of said groove for securing thetiles on the base member.

13. In a. structure of the character described, a base member havingspaced-apart grooves therein, a metal tile having flanges thereon, oneof said flanges being yieldable and having projecting means thereoncooperating with a wall of one of said grooves for securing the tile onthe base member, and a second flange entered in an adJacent groove.

14. In a structure of the character described, a base member havingspaced-apart grooves formed with inclined walls, a metal tile having aninclined hanger flange thereon for engaging one of said grooves, and ayieldable flange on the tile for entrance in an adjacent groove, saidyieldable flange ving means thereon for engaging the inclined wall ofthe groove.

15. In a structure of the character described, a

base member having spaced-apart grooves formed with inclined walls, ametal tile having a hanger flange thereon for engaging one of saidgrooves, and a yieldable flange on said tile having means thereon forengaging an inclined wall of an adja- 1'7. In a structure of thecharacter described, a base member havinga pair of spaced-apart groovesformed with oppositely inclined walls, a metal tile having an inclinedhanger flange for engaging the inclined wall of one of said grooves, anda resilient flange on the tile for engaging the oppositely inclined wallof the other groove.

18. In a structure of the character described, a base member havingspaced-apart grooves therein, said grooves being formed with narrowedentrance portions, a plurality of individual metal tiles each having aresilient flange thereon, the resilient flanges of two adjacent tilesbeing entered in the same groove and having projecting. means thereonfor engagement behind the narrowed portion of said groove to secure thetile on the base member.

19. In a structure of the character described, a base member havingspaced-apart grooves T- shaped in cross section, said grooves beingformed. with narrowed entrance portions, a plurality of individual metaltiles each having a resilient flange thereon, the resilient flanges oftwo adjacent tiles being entered in the same groove and havingprojecting means thereon for engagement behind the narrowed portion ofsaid groove to secure the tile on the base member.

20. In a structure of the character described, the combination with abase member having spaced-apart grooves therein and a plurality of tileshaving flanges entered in said grooves, of a filler element havingyieldable flanges for engaging with and retaining said element betweenthe tile flanges.

21. In a structure of the character described, the combination with abase member having spaced-apart grooves therein and a plurality of tileshaving flanges entered in said grooves, of a flller element havingrearwardly diverging yieldable flanges for engaging with and retainingsaid element between the tile flanges.

22. In a structure of the character described, the combination with abase member having spaced-apart grooves therein and a plurality of tilesassembled in spaced-apart and staggered vertical relationship, saidtiles having flanges entered in said grooves of a T-shaped flller ele--ment having yieldable flanges for engaging with formed with inclinedwalls, metal tiles having hanger flanges thereon for engaging saidgrooves, yieldable flanges on said tiles for engaging the inclined wallsof adjacent grooves, and a flller element having yieldable flanges forengaging the flanges of adjacent tiles.

25. In a structure of the character described, a base member havingspaced-apart grooves formed with inclined walls, metal tiles havinghanger flanges thereon for engaging said grooves, yieldable flanges onsaid tiles for engaging the inclined walls of adjacent grooves, a fillerelement having yieldable flanges for engaging the flanges of adjacenttiles, and locking flanges on said ele-,

ment for engagement behind said tile flanges.

26. In a structure of the character'described,

the combination with a. base member having spaced-apart grooves thereinand a plurality of tiles having flanges entered in said grooves, of across-shaped flller element having yieldable flanges for engaging withand retaining. said element between the tile flanges.

2'7. In a structure of the character described. a base member having asingle series of spacedapart grooves therein, spaced tiles havingflanges thereon entered in said grooves, said flanges having cut-outportions, and filler elements extend: ing between the tiles, saidelements having resilient flanges for interlocking engagement behind thetiles through said cut-out portions.

28. A tile having a flat rectangular body portion and a pair ofrearwardly extending flanges, one of said flanges being inclined towardthe other, said other flange being resilient and having locking meansthereon projecting inwardly toward said inclined flange, as and for thepurpose described.

MILLS T. BENNETT.

